Joan Crawford - Those eyebrows! Those shoulder pads! That ability to appear classy on the outside but be a deranged "Mommy Dearest".
Joan Collins - Again those shoulder pads! That great 80's coif! Engaging in cat-fights with Linda Evans while dripping in diamonds and designer duds! That’s a hard look to pull off.
Joan Jett - Again great 80's coif! Awesome leather ensembles! Being super pretty AND super tough....also a hard look to pull off.
Joan of Arc – The ultimate trendsetter. She made talking to God cool way before Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, rocked armor centuries before Balenciaga did on the runway and (in my opinion) invented the bob haircut. Oh and props for the whole leading France to victory against the Brits & burning at the stake thing.
And now I come to my Joan du jour and the inspiration for this particular post......Joan Halloway!Who you ask? She is not as well known as the other Joan's, but holds a special place in my heart. She is my favorite character on my favorite show Mad Men. If you have not seen the show, it’s fabulous! It’s all about life at an advertising firm in the early 1960’s. Season 1 & 2 are both available in DVD. Great story line. Greater costumes. Watch!
I’m crazy about Joan because she is indeed a bad ass broad and has great style. Refreshingly, she’s also not a waif (Christine Hendricks the actress that plays her was actually told to gain weight for the part – every woman’s dream!). Her curvaceous-ness perfectly compliments her saucy personality. She’s the office manager in charge of bossing around all the secretaries as well as the bedroom fantasy (and reality to a few) of the male executives. Her wardrobe consists of body-hugging silhouettes in bright jewel tones, killer jewelry and the greatest 60’s accessory, the ever present ciggie. Please note I do not support the tobacco industry:) Although Joan’s style is super sexy she never crosses the line to vulgarity. In one episode of Season 2, she reprimands a pretty young secretary whose top is not buttoned up properly. Joan tells her “I know what you’re doing. Your décolletage is distracting....I thought you where better than that.” Meow!
So what style inspirations can be taken from Joan without going 60’s overboard?
The body-hugging silhouette - in the form of a dark denim pencil skirt. Office appropriate with a bright blouse or patterned cardigan & round -toe pumps. Also very cute w/ a tank & flip flops for the weekend.
60’s style satchel handbag - in faux croc or a fun bright color...check out this site for a great selection of vintage bags.
Statement jewelry – be it a sparkly brooch, a bold gold earring or a chic pen necklace (but I think only Joan can get away with the latter).
Strawberry blond/red hair dye – If ONLY I could get away with red hair, but alas...
So there you go. Just try & prove my theory wrong I dare ya!
